Economic Development Journal - Spring 2016

Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor: An Asset Based Strategy for Economic Growthby Jeff EpsteinThe Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor, a public-nonprofit effort to grow the health-tech and high-tech economy in Cleveland, has had remarkable success over the past six years, transforming the vacant area between Cleveland’s booming downtown and University Circle districts into a dynamic chain of innovative businesses. This article outlines the strategy, the players, and the approach towards transforming this critical area of Cleveland.

Accelerating Urban Manufacturing: Looking beyond Gazelles and Start-upsby John ColmManufacturing matters in Cleveland where over 20,000 people are employed in the industry. Accelerate Cleveland Manufacturing (ACM) was developed by MAGNET, a Manufacturing Extension Partnership provider, and WIRENet, a membership based manufacturing organization. ACM targets companies seeking incremental growth, year after year, but that are challenged with limited resources and capabilities.

The Rebirth of a City: Revitalizing Downtown Youngstown, Ohioby Kim CalvertYoungstown was once known as “Steel Valley” because of a robust steel industry. The death of this industry resulted in massive job and population loss, along with numerous decaying, empty buildings downtown. With the help of the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corporation and its management of 52 projects downtown from the late 1990s through today, the area is growing once again.

The Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center: Economic Diversification as a Cornerstone to Reinvention and Long-term Stability of the Ohio Economyby Mark Low and Tom SudowThe Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) is a multi-institutional product development and commercialization consortium made possible through a $60 million grant from the state of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project. The GCIC is a model of effective and efficient economic development focused on the knowledge based economy.

The Van Aken District: A Model for First Suburb Revitalizationby Tania MenesseThe Van Aken District in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is a $91 million mixed-use redevelopment built on the foundation of an $18.5 million street reconfiguration, transforming a congested and unsafe intersection into a walkable mixed-use environment. The revitalization of the District at the terminus of the Van Aken rail line improves transportation options and livability for neighborhoods and employers in Shaker Heights and surrounding communities to the east and south.